Gail Miller Details Taking Over Husband’s Empire

Sep 28, 2015 08:58AM
● Published by Rhett Wilkinson

Gail Miller, Larry H. Miller Group of Companies owner, said that her deceased husband Larry would “always” participate in events like StartFEST. Miller talked about it never being too late to start something. Photo courtesy StartFEST

By Rhett Wilkinson

Larry Miller would “always” participate in events
like StartFEST.

In that case, his wife Gail Miller kept with
tradition.

Miller took over for the Larry H. Miller Group after
Larry’s death in Feb. 2009. The new ownership meant that she became a “late-bloomer”
in business. Larry requested that she take control of the Sandy-based company because she
had the common sense and wisdom necessary to help their sons lead the business
after Larry was gone, she said.

Miller spoke Sept. 3 at the Provo entrepreneurship event.

"I'm enjoying life at a whole different level
as a businesswoman,” she said. "From this vantage point now, I feel like I
can do a lot of good. … I’m in a completely different position now, and I don’t
say that to boast, but to say that you can have new opportunities in life."

Since the Millers started in business,
Miller was set to own the companies if her husband couldn't do it. Regularly,
Larry would come home to tell her everything that happened at work during the
day, she said.

“I was a silent partner,” she added, later saying:
“I became (an owner) to protect and preserve our legacy.”

She described challenges that faced the
business during Larry’s tenure, including the decision to take full ownership
of the Utah Jazz after Sam Battistone gave up his half.

“I always wondered why he did so much,” she
said. “Larry said that people need jobs and we could provide them. … Money is
neutral. It’s what you do with it.”

Miller told the audience at the Utah County festival
to “believe in God” and “honor your roots.” She also told the Sandy Journal that the LHM Group is
“doing very well,” as the car business is on a “roll” and theaters are “doing
well.” She lauded the business climate in Utah, with its low unemployment rate.